Birthstone Guide

January - Garnet

Garnet comes from the Latin word granatus, meaning grain. Garnet is mostly mined in Southeast Asia, Brazil, and Africa. Occurring in every color except blue, the garnet is a versatile stone, appropriate for a multitude of applications an occasions.

February - Amethyst

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, and ranges in color from light to deep purple. Amethyst is derived from the Greek word emthystos meaning not drunk. The ancient Greeks and Romans made drinking cups out of Amethyst believing that it would prevent intoxication.

March - Aquamarine

Aquamarine (from Latin: aqua marina, \"water of the sea\" was named because of its blue or turquoise color. In the U.S. Aquamarine can be found in Central Colorado, and Wyoming.

April - Diamond

The word Diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, meaning (unbreakable, or unalterable). Diamonds are composed of a single element, and are the purest of all the gemstones. The Diamond is the ultimate symbol of love, and is said to symbolize strength, and enhance relationships. When buying a Diamond one should always consider the 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

May - Emerald

Emeralds can range in color from light to dark green. Its name comes from the Greek word smaragdos meaning green gem. Emeralds from Columbia are generally considered the most valuable.

June - Pearls

When thinking of the Pearl the color white usually comes to mind, but you can find pearls in black, gray, blue, yellow cream, lavender and mauve. When purchasing a Pearl you want to consider the surface, luster, color, and shape. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but there are many of shapes of pearl.

July - Ruby

The word Ruby is from the Latin ruber, meaning red. The ruby is pink-red in color. The Ruby is is extremely hard, and second only to the diamond in hardness. The ruby is one of the four precious stones, along with sapphire, emerald, and the diamond.

August - Peridot

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, an olive green. The most valued color is a dark olive-green

September - Sapphire

Sapphire is from the Greek word sappheiros, meaning blue stone. Although blue is the most well-known color for sapphires, sapphires are made up of any color of corundum except for red, which are rubies.

October - Opal

97% of the world's Opal is from Australia. Opals fluctuate in color and are often multi-colored. The most valuable is black.

November - Topaz

Topaz, the symbol for friendship can be many different colors including black, brown, blue(most common) yellow, green, pink, and red, although pure topaz is colorless.

December - Turquoise

Turquoise is blue-green in color, and was one of the first gemstones to be mined. The largest source of Turquoise is the Southwest United States.